Noordskool mourns beloved point duty officer Mangako ‘Girly’ Lekaka

POLOKWANE – Friends and families of Laerskool Pietersburg-Noord (Noordskool) are mourning the passing of its cherished point duty officer, Mangako Serite Lekaka, affectionately known as ‘Girly’.

Since joining the school in 2016, Lekaka became a familiar and beloved figure, known for her smile, kindness and dedication to the safety of the school’s learners.

Parents described her as someone who treated every child like her own.

She always greeted parents with a bright smile as they dropped off their children in the mornings and maintained that same warmth when they returned to pick them up in the afternoons.

Lekaka sadly passed away on November 3 and was laid to rest in her hometown, Nobody Thakgalang, on Saturday.

She is survived by her two children, Moloko (24), Thabile (14), her husband, mother, three sisters, as well as her late sister’s children, Thato (17) and Relebogile (10), whom she embraced and raised when her sister passed away years ago.

Lekaka had always believed in protecting and saving learners’ lives and described her role not as a job but as a passion, one that she carried out with pride.

Noordskool parent Selma Mostert, a close friend who travelled with her daily, told Review that Girly genuinely enjoyed her role as it allowed her to play a crucial part in ensuring the safety of both learners and parents.

“Knowing that her actions helped and protected young lives and created a safer environment was incredibly fulfilling to see every day. As a parent, her daily interaction with learners, parents and motorists was always heart-warming. Girly’s work kept her active and extremely happy,” Mostert said.

Lekaka obtained a three-year diploma in traffic policing before approaching Noordskool to volunteer as a point duty officer after recognising the vital role traffic officers play in preventing accidents.

As her role was part-time and voluntary, she also worked as an entrepreneur, selling food, fruit and homemade products to support her family.

Her dream was to eventually secure a permanent job and continue contributing to creating safer environments for people.

To support Lekaka’s family during this difficult time, Noordskool parents organised a contribution initiative a week before her funeral.

A table draped with a white cloth and decorated with fresh flowers and her photo was placed at the school gate for parents, teachers and learners to donate any amount they could.

The donated money were later personally delivered to Lekaka’s home to assist with funeral arrangements.

“We as a school would like to share our heartfelt condolences to Girly’s family and friends. We thank her for her kind heart, warm smile and for her dedication towards keeping our learners safe,” the school said in a statement.